Dental veneers
Key points
- Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth, often used to improve how they look or function.
- They’re suitable for people with stained, chipped, gapped, worn, or mildly misaligned teeth and good oral health.
- Veneers create a natural looking, stain resistant smile that could last up to 10 years or more with proper care.
- The process includes a full consultation, minor tooth preparation in some cases, and bonding the veneers in place.
What are dental veneers?
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite that’s attached to the front of your tooth to make it look or work better. They’re often used to improve the appearance of stained, chipped, misshapen, or crooked teeth. But they can also be used to restore worn teeth and improve their function.
Veneers are one of the most common cosmetic treatments for teeth. This means they improve the appearance of your teeth. They’re custom-made to match the size, shape, and colour of your other teeth. You can have just one veneer fitted to cover a stained or chipped tooth, or an entire row of veneers.
How much veneers cost will depend on how many you need and the material they’re made from. Your dentist will go through all your options and explain the price in full to help you decide if you want to go ahead with treatment. You might be able to spread the cost of veneers out across multiple payments.
Who needs veneers?
Dental veneers can be used to treat teeth that are:
- Chipped, cracked or broken. A veneer can hide a small chip or crack in your tooth to make it look smooth again.
- Stained or discoloured. Veneers can cover stains if whitening treatments haven’t worked, making your teeth appear brighter and more even in colour.
- Spaced out, with small gaps in between. Veneers may be able to close small gaps in your teeth without needing braces.
- Slightly crooked. In some cases, veneers can make your teeth appear straighter, without the need for orthodontic treatment.
- Misshapen. Veneers can make your teeth look more symmetrical, for example if they’re very small or pointed.
- Worn down. Veneers might help restore shape and function if your teeth have wear.
If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you’ll need to have treatment to fix these issues before having veneers.
Types of dental veneers
There are different types of dental veneer to choose from, which include the following.
Porcelain veneers
- These are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth.
- Sometimes, they can be placed with little or no tooth preparation of your natural tooth at all, known as minimal or no-prep veneers.
- But other times, your dentist might need to remove some of the outer layer of your tooth (enamel) to help cement them in place. Porcelain veneers may be more expensive than other types of veneer and take a few appointments to complete.
- They often last longer than other types of veneers.
Composite veneers
- This is when your dentist applies a thin layer of composite resin directly to the surface of your tooth.
- The resin is shaped and hardened using a special curing light. Once hardened, it’s polished to look like your other teeth.
- Composite veneers are generally cheaper and quicker to attach than porcelain veneers.
- They might stain or chip over time, lasting around five years on average, but can be repaired.
What are the benefits of veneers?
Dental veneers can improve the appearance or function of your smile and last a long time if you take good care of them. They’re usually easy to maintain and the procedure is less invasive than some other dental treatments. Some of the benefits include:
- A more confident smile. Dental veneers can give you a natural looking, straighter, and whiter smile.
- Long-lasting results. Veneers can last for over 10 years with good care.
- Strong and stain-resistant material. Porcelain veneers are stronger and more stain-resistant than composite veneers.
- Minimal tooth preparation. Veneers are less invasive than some other cosmetic options, because they can often be placed with little or no removal of your natural tooth enamel.
- Simple aftercare. Veneers are usually easy to look after with regular brushing, flossing and routine dental check-ups.
Joan's experience with dental veneers
Joan shares her story of being treated with dental veneers | Watch in 0:53 minutes
I've had veneers in the front teeth, top teeth and implants back there and that is a result of getting older and perhaps not looking after my teeth as much as I should have done.
As a result, I'm quite lucky to have what I've got so far, but I'm even luckier to have met Doctor Page that he's been able to do these for me.
The veneers have been amazing, but the most important thing was nobody knew I had them.
Now I belong to a gym and it was weeks before it came out.
I've had them now about 8-9 years.
Never had any problems with them whatsoever.
From the reception staff to the nursing staff to the friendliness of the place.
When you come in it's it's not like a dentist, you know the dentist outside.
It's a friendly place.
I can recommend it highly.
Porcelain veneers: Joanne's before and after results
Before
Visible chips in existing veneers were making Joanne’s front teeth look uneven and damaged.
After
How much do veneers cost?
Prices of veneers will depend on the material used. The most common materials are E-MAX and porcelain.
For E-MAX veneers, the average price is £985 per tooth, with prices typically between £670 to £1325.
For porcelain veneers, the average price is £960 per tooth, with prices typically between £610 to £1290.
Spread the cost of your treatment
Patient finance is available for treatments that cost between £250 and £50,000 at 0% APR** when you choose a repayment term of between 3 months and 36 months (subject to the amount of credit), this means that you can spread your treatment cost over a term that suits you, and you don’t pay back any more than you would pay otherwise.
Once you have agreed your treatment plan with your dentist, you’ll have the option to apply.
Terms and conditions apply. Learn more about patient finance.
Veneers process
Step 1: Book a consultation and plan your treatment
- If you’re thinking about getting dental veneers, the first step is to book a consultation with a dentist.
- Your dentist will go through the different types of veneers available and help you decide which option is best for you.
- They’ll also check the health of your teeth and gums to make sure veneers are suitable for you.
Step 2: Prepare your teeth and take impressions if needed
Porcelain veneers
- If you decide to go ahead with porcelain veneers, your dentist will prepare your teeth first if needed.
- This preparation may involve removing a very small amount of enamel from the surface of your tooth. This will make it easier to permanently cement your veneer and tooth together later on. But in some cases, little or no preparation is required.
- Your dentist might also give you an injection with a local anaesthetic to numb any pain.
- They’ll also take an impression of your mouth using soft putty in a tray or a 3D dental scanner and send this to a lab that will create your custom-made veneers.
- It can take a few weeks for your veneers to come back, so your dentist might fit temporary veneers until then.
Composite veneers
- If you’re having composite veneers, you might not need to have impressions of your mouth. Your dentist may need to take an impression or scan to use as a guide to place the composite correctly on your teeth.
- Your dentist will apply the resin directly to the surface of your teeth without removing any or much enamel.
- The resin is hardened using a special curing light and polished to blend in with your natural teeth.
Composite veneers take less time and fewer appointments than porcelain veneers. Newer technologies such as CEREC and 3D printing can make custom veneers in one appointment. You won’t need to have impressions or wait for your veneers to be made in a lab, they are made on site.
How are veneers fitted?
Porcelain veneers
Once your porcelain veneers are ready, your dentist will invite you back for a second appointment to fit them. They may need to apply a mild acidic solution to your teeth to roughen the surface before placing your veneers. Your dentist will permanently attach your veneer to your natural tooth using a strong dental cement. They’ll also make sure you’re happy with the fit, shape, and colour of your new veneer.
Composite veneers
If you opt for composite resin veneers, a mild acid may be used to roughen the surface of your tooth a little. Your dentist will then apply a very thin layer of resin to it. They might need to apply a few layers, and will harden and polish each layer until it looks the way you want.
Aftercare and maintenance for veneers
To keep your dental veneers looking their best and lasting longer, follow these steps.
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Clean your teeth and gums twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day. Remember to floss in between your teeth at least once daily using dental floss, a water flosser or an interdental cleaner.
- Wear a mouth guard. If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, your dentist might recommend you cover your teeth with a mouth guard to stop them from breaking.
- Avoid hard foods. Try not to chew hard items that could break your veneers, like ice.
- Visit your dentist. Attend regular check-ups and cleaning appointments with your dentist, to help keep your teeth and veneers healthy.
Alternatives to veneers
Your dentist can go through all the options for improving the appearance of your teeth and recommend the best treatment for you. Alternatives to veneers could include:
- A dental crown: This is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the top of your tooth completely. While veneers only improve the way your teeth look, a crown can also strengthen your existing tooth. A crown usually costs more and involves removing more of your tooth than veneers, but it can last a long time and may be better if your teeth are very damaged.
- Teeth whitening: Professional teeth whitening can sometimes be used to improve the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth. It may be a more affordable option for some people, but it won’t change the shape of your tooth or remove deep stains.
- Orthodontics: This is the name given to treatments that help straighten your teeth like metal braces or clear aligners. Orthodontics can often be used to correct crooked or overcrowded teeth. This treatment doesn’t damage your natural teeth, but the process usually takes a lot longer than getting veneers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about veneers
How long do veneers last?
Some types of veneer can last for over 10 years if you take good care of them. But they can also become damaged just like any other teeth, and need repairing or replacing. Taking good care of your veneers can help them to last longer.
Do dental veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining. However, composite veneers are not as stain-resistant. Over time, they can become discoloured from things like tea, coffee, or red wine. But taking good care of your teeth, including regular brushing and flossing, can help to keep them looking their best for longer.
How can I keep my veneers in the best condition?
To help keep your veneers in the best condition possible, take care of them just as you would your natural teeth.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Clean between your teeth by flossing once a day.
- See your dentist for regular check-ups.
- Wear a mouth guard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night and your dentist has recommended it.
- Avoid biting hard foods like ice.
- Limit the amount of staining foods you eat and drink, like coffee or red wine.
Can you whiten veneers?
No. Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth, because the bleaching agents need to soak into tooth enamel. Veneers are made from materials like porcelain or composite resin that won’t absorb whitening gel, so their colour can’t change.
Composite bonding
If you’d like to fill gaps, chips or cracks between teeth, composite bonding might be for you. Find out more.
Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that’s placed over your tooth.
Teeth whitening kits
Find out more about at-home teeth whitening kits, how they work, how to use them effectively and what to expect.
Orthodontics at Bupa
Thinking about straightening your smile? Explore a range of options at Bupa Dental Care and Total Orthodontics practices nationwide, from traditional fixed braces to discreet, removable aligners.
Composite bonding vs veneers
Other helpful websites
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- Overview of tooth disorders. MSD Manuals. msdmanuals.com, reviewed November 2024
- Crowns. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, last reviewed March 2026
- Safe smiles orthodontics. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, accessed May 2026
- Tooth whitening. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, last reviewed April 2026.
- Hameed FF, Rajendran MR, Kalaiselvam R, et al. Clinical Outcomes of No-prep Veneers and Conventional Veneers: A Systematic Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025; 26 (12):1245-1251. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3981
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